Waste Minimisation Schools Educator

Sustainable Kaipara – Kaipara District Contractor role – approx. 15 hours/week during school terms

Help shape how the next generation understands waste, sustainability and kaitiakitanga.

Sustainable Kaipara is a community organisation on a mission to protect and restore our environment. We support schools, businesses and events across the Kaipara District to reduce waste, recycle and compost correctly, and take practical steps toward a low-waste future. We're also home to Mangawhai’s community composting programme.

We’re looking for a passionate, Kaipara-based Waste Minimisation Schools Educator to inspire students, empower schools throughout the district.

About the role Working across pre-schools, primary schools and high schools from Mangawhai to Dargaville, you will:

*Recruit schools for the Waste Wise and other sustainability programmes

*Identify each school’s needs and support them to reach their zero-waste goals

*Deliver workshops, waste audits and one-off sessions across Kaipara

*Promote sustainability initiatives through newsletters, social media and school networks

*Collaborate with partners including Ecosolutions/CBEC, Para Kore and Enviroschools

*Keep clear records, communicate progress and provide monthly reports

*Contribute to ongoing programme improvement and development

*This is a contractor role averaging 15 hours per week during school terms, with flexibility around scheduling. Workshops do not run during school holidays.

What you’ll bring

*Full NZ driver licence and your own vehicle

*Confident communicator who builds rapport easily

*Experience working with children (teaching background helpful but not essential)

*Passion and/or knowledge in sustainability, composting, worm farming or low-waste living

*Strong self-management and reliability

*Comfortable with Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Google Suite

*Willingness to learn social media and CRM systems

*Some te reo Māori and understanding of Te Ao Māori is an advantage (or eagerness to learn)

*Ability to present and communicate ideas to a range of age groups

*Must be police vetted

Contract details

*Contract for service (not an employee role)

*Approx. 30-week contract, beginning Term 1 2026

*Hourly rate $40/hr + GST (if GST registered)

*Mileage paid at $1.04/km

*Invoices submitted monthly

Ready to inspire change?

If you're passionate about empowering schools and communities to reduce waste and care for our environment, we’d love to hear from you.